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Astros rumor: Cuban star Pedro Leon is predicted to sign with Houston

By Brian Murray |
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Jose Altuve #27 of Houston Astros rests his hat and glove in the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 10, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Jose Altuve #27 of Houston Astros rests his hat and glove in the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 10, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Astros are chasing another potential baseball star from Cuba, as reports circulate they are projected to sign outfielder Pedro Leon in July.

The international signing period opens on July 2nd and the Astros are expected to snag one of the best prospects available. According to reports, Cuba’s star outfielder Pedro Leon is likely to sign a $4 million contract to join Houston’s organization. That deal is projected to be the largest of this year’s international class.

The Astros lost their first and second-round picks of the 2020 and 2021 MLB drafts as punishment for the sign-stealing scandal. As a result, acquiring top players via the international route is one of the best options left available to stoke their Minor League system with new talent.

Outfielder Pedro Leon is one of those top international players that are eligible to sign with Major League clubs. Leon was tearing it up in the Cuban National Series prior to defecting in 2018. He is already technically able to sign but has opted to wait until the new signing period starts in July.

The 21-year-old was in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, February 6, displaying his talents to scouts of several Major League teams.

Leon played for the Huracanes de Mayabeque, located in San Jose de Las Lajas, Cuba, a team in the Cuban National Series. In 22 games he slashed .325/.365/.545 with an OPS of .910, including four home runs, five doubles, 14 RBIs, and 15 runs scored in 77 at-bats. Leon is known to possess explosive speed to compliment his power behind the plate.

His father played baseball but never made it into the upper echelons of Cuban baseball. Because of that, he started his son at a very early age, putting a bat in Pedro Manuel Leon’s hands at the age of three. Leon’s father kept involved in every aspect of his development throughout the years and he attributes his success to him.

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If the Astros do succeed in signing him in July when the international signing period begins, it would be a big coup for this ballclub under the circumstances they’re under for the next couple of years. It will be fun to see how progresses through the Astros organization. Could he be the next Yordan Alvarez?

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